Long ago, Nancy Zieman’s family acquired a tattered vintage quilt. Admittedly, when Nancy’s mother, Barbara, ran across the quilt stored in a garage, she wasn’t sure where the quilt came from or who made it. It was collected and stored for quite some time. When it was finally rediscovered, the quilt was in the same deteriorated condition as when it was stored away. The vintage piece was beyond repair. It was at that time Nancy had the vision for sharing the quilt for years to come. See the quilt and follow along as we share the steps Nancy used for displaying this beautiful, weathered quilt.

Caution: Quilt Lovers, these next three images are not for the faint of heart.

Once the quilt was adequately aired out and the smells faded, Nancy started her project to create a Framed Antique Quilt Block.

Supplies

Frame (Nancy used a 10″ x 10″ frame.)

Project quilt needing new life & love

Rotary cutting mat

Rotary cutter

Square quilter’s ruler (Nancy used a 12″ x 12″ ruler.)

Framed Antique Quilt

Identify the usable portions to feature, keeping in mind, you may want to include shabby areas of the quilt to help tell the quilt’s story.

Work on the rotary cutting surface. You cannot see it in the picture, but a table-size cutting mat is under the quilt.

Using a square ruler, audition the space around the selected area/block.

Use the cardboard backing from the frame to determine exactly where to place the ruler.

Remove the cardboard backing.

Double check the ruler alignment.

Rotary cut two sides.

Reposition the ruler based on the cardboard backing and cut the remaining two sides.

Secure the edges of the cut piece by basting within 1/4″ of the cut edge.

Keeping the glass in the frame and working from the back, place the quilt block into the frame.

Apply the cardboard backing and fold down the metal tabs which hold everything in place.

You can always add a layer or two of acid free paper to serve as a liner between the quilt and cardboard backing.

Ta-dah!

Nancy’s hope was that this project would offer daily enjoyment of a vintage find, or treasured piece, that would have been stored away for many more decades, and likely tossed out by a future family member. We encourage you to take a couple of moments to label your quilts and sewn projects to tell the story of the piece to future generations.

The Quilt Index encourages the following, as suggested on the Labeling Pledge.

Include at minimum:

Name

Date quilt was completed

Location

Other options to include:

Recipient or reason for quilt

Materials and techniques

Pattern name, if applicable

Story of the quilt

If the quilt was made by someone else, include any of the following:

Where and when the quilt was received

The maker

Where the maker lived during their life

Estimated birth (and death) date of the maker

Pattern name, if known

Thank you so much, Amy! We are lucky to live in a time where there are many options for labeling a quilt. From hand stitched wording to computer generated and printed panels, the options are limitless! Here are a few of our favorite tools for labeling projects:

Premade Labels

Embroidered Labels

Nancy loved machine embroidery. Making labels on her Baby Lock Destiny IIembroidery machine was quite easy. Simply use your included designs to personalize a label or grab quilt label embroidery software. The possibilities are limitless. From fonts, to coordinating motifs to sayings and colors, the label will be stitched to reflect your style.

Story Patch Labels

And, for the more computer-savvy quilter, try Story Patch labels. Revolutionize the way you label a quilt. Attach a story with this simple and innovative tag. Make it a keepsake by giving them a photo, audio, or video message they can replay over and over again. You and the project recipient are only four easy steps away from a gift they will treasure for a lifetime.

9 Comments

Donna FecteauJanuary 18, 2018

What a wonderful idea for when you can’t save the whole thing, to just save what you can. I found an old quilt in the garage of the first home we bought and it was a mess. Wish I had this information back then I could have saved a block or two from it.

Joy CrossJanuary 17, 2018

So clever. I will pass it along to my quilting sisters.

KarenJanuary 17, 2018

This idea is great, when something is stored no one sees it, this way it can be seen each day. I also like that the vintage machine is in the display. I might suggest switching the glass or buying a frame with non glare glass-makes a big difference.

Lisa LaMieJanuary 16, 2018

I love your idea to frame very old quilts. I have parts of a quilt with little bonnet girls and they have very pretty embr. flowers. I was going to make three small quilts and give to our three children, but with your idea I can give a block picture and share with our grandchildren also!! Thanks!

Ann HedingtonJanuary 16, 2018

While I love the idea of having framing quilt blocks to show off or share, I’m not sure this is the best technique. I would take it to a professional framer (not your local craft store) for archival framer.

I have a quilt from 1864 that I believe was made by one of my great aunts. I think it is this same pattern. I just may have to dig it out and try this if I can get the nerve to cut it up. But I see Nancy’s point of sharing now because it now just sits boxed in a closet and when I am gone no one will even know what it is. Here’s to getting up the nerve to do it.

LindaJanuary 16, 2018

Oh thank You !! I love this Idea !!!

Jane NidayJanuary 16, 2018

I have a quilt that came “from your father’s side of the family”. Dresden plate design-have made several sets of placemats, but making a framed print for each grand-daughter is a wonderful idea. Thank you so much for posting today!